 The Gandhi Foundation of USA was founded on October 26, 1997 in anticipation of the installation and dedication of the statue of the Mahatma Gandhi at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. The purpose of the foundation is to be an activist organization focusing to focus entirely on the practical application of the philosophies of Gandhi and King, thus establishing a meaningful continuity in honoring both Gandhi and King.
About the GFUSA The concept of honoring Mahatma Gandhi in Atlanta began in 1992 through a Gandhi Task Force effort to rename a street called Hogue Street in the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic district. The National Federation of Indian American Associations’ initiative was supported by the Indian American communities, Mayor Maynard Jackson, Councilman Bill Campbell (past Mayor), Mrs. Coretta Scott King of the King Center, the Georgia Human Relations Commission and many ranking community leaders and community organizations. While the renaming of the street did not materialize, the efforts continued with the formation of the Gandhi Task Force.
The cooperative efforts of the US Park Service of the Department of the Interior, the Georgia Human Relations Commission and other community organizations in charge of the development of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, the Embassy of India, the National Federation of Indian American Associations and the Gandhi Task Force resulted in the installation and dedication of the statue of the Mahatma in the Martin Luther King National Historic Site on the morning of January 24, 1998 by the Honorable Andrew Young, a significant historic event indeed! A banquet celebrating this historic event was organized at Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel the same evening with many dignitaries in attendance. This statue is the first of Mahatma Gandhi in a U.S. Federal Park.
The Gandhi Foundation was subsequently incorporated as a non-profit, tax-exempt foundation in the State of Georgia under section 501C(3). The Mission of the GFUSA TO ACT as a a catalyst and facilitator for promoting the awareness and practice of Gandhi-King philosophies of Non-Violence, Community Service and Social Justice through focused programs in education, community relations, community service, intercultural cooperation and celebrations honoring Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Foundation is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with new facilities opening soon at the Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic District in Atlanta. Purpose of the GFUSA The Gandhi Foundation of USA Incorporated, a non-profit, tax-exempt foundation based in Atlanta, Georgia, under section 501C(3) was organized for the following purposes: • Research and apply the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King, and of other sources relating to the principles of non-violence as a basis for creating conflict resolution and world peace.
• Create and promote educational and informational programs to inform the general public on the non-violent philosophies and practices of Mohandas K. Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Assist National Parks Service in improvements pertaining to the Gandhi Room and Gandhi Statue at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site located in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Provide for or help finance the costs of social services programs for the poor and underprivileged, preferably as joint ventures with other 501(c) entities or social welfare organizations.
• Provide for or help finance the costs of maintaining a free or reduced cost clinics for the poor or underprivileged, including the sponsoring of health fairs, clinics, and the like.
• Provide for cultural activities of all types (not only Indian) in order to communicate and disseminate the non-violent philosophy of Gandhi and King. This includes an annual observance of the Gandhi birth and the anniversary of dedication of the Gandhi statue at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta, Georgia, the birth anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Republic Day of India.
• Endow a Chair at a University or State College for Gandhi/King Studies.
• Establish a center/ashram to create space and the desired facilities for the above-mentioned activities, train volunteers and hold workshops, seminars, etc. A Brief History of the GFUSA The Gandhi Foundation of USA was founded on October 26, 1997 in anticipation of the installation and dedication of the statue of the Mahatma Gandhi at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. The purpose of the foundation is both to be a peace research institute and to be an activist organization focusing to focus entirely on the practical application of the philosophies of Gandhi and King, thus establishing a meaningful continuity in honoring both Gandhi and King beyond the dedication of the statue.
The concept of honoring Mahatma Gandhi in Atlanta began in 1992 through a Gandhi Task Force effort to rename a street called Hogue Street in the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic district. The National Federation of Indian American Associations’ initiative was supported by the Indian American communities, Mayor Maynard Jackson, Councilman Bill Campbell (past Mayor), Mrs. Coretta Scott King of the King Center, the Georgia Human Relations Commission and many ranking community leaders and community organizations. While the renaming of the street did not materialize, the efforts continued with the formation of the Gandhi Task Force.
The cooperative efforts of the US Park Service of the Department of the Interior, the Georgia Human Relations Commission and other community organizations in charge of the development of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, the Embassy of India, the National Federation of Indian American Associations and the Gandhi Task Force resulted in the installation and dedication of the statue of the Mahatma in the Martin Luther King National Historic Site on the morning of January 24, 1998 by the Honorable Andrew Young, a significant historic event indeed! A banquet celebrating this historic event was organized at Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel the same evening with many dignitaries in attendance. This statue is the first of Mahatma Gandhi in a U.S. Federal Park.
The Gandhi Foundation was subsequently incorporated as a non-profit, tax-exempt foundation in the State of Georgia under section 501C(3). The Leadership of Gandhi FoundationExecutive Committee
Antony Thaliath, Executive Director
Dr. H. V. Shivadas, Director of Operations
Dr. K. V. Thrivikraman, Secretary
Mohsin Bharmal, Treasurer
Wayne Lazarus, Legal Counsel Board of Directors
Subash Razdan, Chair of the Board
Greg Pridgeon, Vice Chair of the Board
Dr.Rajan Anand
Dr. Joy Berry
Mahadev Desai
Kumkum Kashiparekh
Troy Lissimore
John Naugle
Viren Mayani
Jitendra M. Patel
Vinod Patel
Dr. Sujatha Reddy
Vinita Thaper 
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